It turns out that my LO has or had a virus that causes sever diarrhea. The diarrhea has almost cleared up, but he is now left with bloody, mucousy stool. The doctor said that it is due to the inflamation in the intestine from the diarrhea, and that it will take time to heal. NOW...my doctor advised me to stop breastfeeding my baby until the diarrhea has completely cleared up. Apparently, the lactose that breastmilk contains can further irritate the bowls. However, everything that I have read online has said to continue to breastfeed because it can actually help speed up recovery. I was just wondering if any one has been in this situation and what their doctor has said....

November 8th, 2011, 08:11 AM

@llli*sch.mommy

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

no, no, no. Your doctor is wrong.

Breastmilk is much better on your baby's insides :ita and you are absolutely right, it does speed up recovery. A lot of doctors are misinformed. They are relying on information that is outdated.

There are a lot of people pushing formula - because basically the reality is that there is money to be made from it. When formula is purchased someone is getting paid. The more formula bought, the more donated to hospitals, which encourages more sales, which encourages more donations.... Formula companies also give money to help with research in other areas, but there is a trade off: posters in the clinic lobby, free samples to give to new moms, etc.

Breastmilk is the best thing for your baby, especially when he/she is sick.

November 8th, 2011, 08:23 AM

@llli*kst.7399

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Jenn said it all. I would not stop breastfeeding.

November 8th, 2011, 08:23 AM

@llli*sassypants

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

You are right to be suspicious. Can you get a second opinion with a different doctor?

When my son had diarrhea I was encouraged to nurse as much as possible to prevent dehydration and replenish lost bacteria (probiotics).

November 8th, 2011, 09:06 AM

@llli*darwinthesun

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Wow, your doctor is dead wrong. :( So sad to me that so many are misinformed about breastfeeding. When they are sick is the BEST time to breastfeed.

November 8th, 2011, 09:30 AM

@llli*kmanih

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

My LO had something very similar when she was about 5 weeks old. Big green mucousy diarrhea, which my dr diagnosed as a virus. The advice I got was to keep breastfeeding, and actually to offer the breast more often than usual to avoid dehydration. Yes, the dr did tell me that her digestive system was irritated, and that the irritation would last for several weeks after the virus cleared up--but that was normal and it took time to heal. Sure, the irritation makes the intestinal lining more sensitive to everything, including the lactose in BM. But formula would be much, much, much worse--much more irritating. And BM has a better electrolyte balance than formula.

After my LO's diarrhea cleared, she was also left with mucousy poops. It turns out she was sensitive to many foods in my diet, and when I cut the foods the mucus, blood and other symptoms disappeared almost completely. Now... maybe it was a coincidence... but sometimes I think she never had a virus to begin with, but rather it was the first manifestation of her food sensitivities. :shrug Just my mom-opinion....

November 8th, 2011, 09:51 AM

@llli*joe.s.mom

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Because cow's milk is bad when babies have tummy troubles or diarrhea, doctors sometimes say breastmilk is too, when actually, it's quite a bit better than pedialyte or water.

November 8th, 2011, 11:23 AM

@llli*mommal

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Formula contains lactose, too. So how would switching to formula help? :scratch

Sorry, this is absolutely ridiculous advice. Lots of moms nurse their babies through diarrhea, and also through bloody stool issues. It will pass in time.

November 8th, 2011, 11:29 AM

@llli*krystine

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

I would continue to breastfeed. If you stop it will be much harder to start again. If there is something in your diet that is irritating baby's tummy then you can work to eliminate that but there is no reason baby shouldn't be able to keep getting your milk.

November 8th, 2011, 04:17 PM

@llli*joe.s.mom

Re: To breastfeed or to not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by @llli*mommal

Formula contains lactose, too. So how would switching to formula help? :scratch

Not sure what this doc said, but often they're not saying do formula instead - they're saying no milk or formula; only pedialyte or whatever? :shrug

Still wrong. Breastmilk is better than pedialyte for dehydrated babies.